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Yellagiri – Jess’ view

It’s no exaggeration when I say that I had 4 of the best days of my life when we took over 40 boys from the local destitute home in Chennai to the hills of Yellagiri- I already know that my words are not going to do justice to how incredible this experience was so I guess y’all just going to have to apply to be a part of next years team so you can be apart of it yourself!

The theme the team decided on for this years trip to Yellagiri was Around the World. Throughout the weekend we led a carousal of activities where the boys would visit various countries and do an activity to go alongside the country they were visiting. Seeing them all working together in each of the activities was truly beautiful- they all had the most caring hearts and you could really see that. The older boys would look after and translate for the younger boys and the way they loved each other is something we should all learn from.

A personal highlight for me was just spending time with my team (the amazing Team Australasia!) and getting to know each and every one of them. Getting to know these boys has just been the best thing! Even though we didn’t speak the same language, the connection we made was so special. It was so honestly beautiful in the way that all it took was a game of pat-a-cake and a smile to get to know the younger boys (who didn’t speak as much English). The conversations I had with the older boys as well were so lovely. Looking back now on the laughter we shared and the stories we told is making me smile a lot!

Each and every boy is such an inspiration in the way that they have absolutely nothing yet they are so full of joy, faith and excitement. My prayer is that we left as much with them as they have with us through the activities we planned, the songs we sang, the sessions we led and the conversations we had. My heart is so full of the memories we shared with the boys. It makes me very emotional but also so very happy to think that we were apart of something that they are going to remember for the rest of their lives.